Disillusionment In Hamlet

The 1948 movie adaptation of Hamlet, staring Lawrence Oliver, describes the play as being of “a man who could not make up his mind”. Shakespeare’s dramatic treatment of enduring themes, predominantly struggle and disillusionment, has kept an ever-changing audience transfixed through the ages. Shakespeare is able to resonate with the hearts and minds of the audience through the character of Hamlet. By losing his faith and trust in different aspects of his life, Hamlet is thrown into a perpetual state of disillusionment. Hamlets disillusionment of women, mainly due to the betrayal of his mother, Gertrude and his “lover” Ophelia, cause him to struggle with the concepts of love and marriage. In addition to this his distrust towards his uncle, the reigning King, and by association the Danish court, cause Hamlet to contemplate his motives, emotions and actions. Lastly, Hamlet expresses his disenchantment with himself and his lack of action, additionally, through the use of philosophical ideals of life and death; he expresses levels of self-hate and doubt. These universal issues carry themselves throughout the play, following Hamlet in the revenge tragedy plot.

Hamlet’s disillusionment with the women in his life, come from confusion as to where they’re allegiance lies. Firstly, Ophelia abruptly ends her relationship with Hamlet, simply because Polonius states that “[he] would not have you give words to Lord Hamlet”. Ophelia obeys her father by denying “his [Hamlet’s] access to me”, proving that her loyalty lies with her father. In addition to this, Ophelia outwardly lies to Hamlet during Polonius’ trap, stating that her father is “at home”. Hamlet’s reservations towards women can be seen when he says to Ophelia “if thou dost marry…marry...

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...example: when Hamlet contemplates suicide or Ophelia’s suicide where she actively chooses “not to be”, and skepticism, the theory that certain knowledge is impossible. Hamlet’s disenchantment and struggles within him reflects humanistic characteristics that audiences can relate to.

Shakespeare’s most famous play Hamlet resonates with the hearts and minds of audiences through the dramatic treatment of struggle and disillusionment. Author, John Green commented, “Hamlet struggles because he is human.” It is these human characteristics and behaviors that have kept an audience transfixed through the years. Hamlet’s disillusionment with women, introduce modern day themes of love and marriage. His inability to act introduces his disillusionment with his uncle. Lastly his disenchantment with himself brings about questions of self-doubt and philosophical ideals of death.